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Town of New Haven Selectmen’s Meeting

7:00 pm Town Clerks Office

Tuesday Jan. 24, 2006

Present: Paul Audy, Larry Buck, Amos Roleau III, Barb Torian

Others: Peter Norris, Nick Clifford, Joanna Etka, Peter Diminico, Suzy Roorda

AGENDA: Results

Read and approve minutes make corrections if needed. 

NEW BUSINESS

• Peter Norris – Zoning – Interesting in getting Ouimette in sink with Powers on potential litigation.  Will ask attorneys to come to the next meeting to discuss.
• Joanna Etka and Nick Clifford – Community Projects – Recommendations from the committee regarding the needs of the town at present and in the future. Presented a draft brochure.  The House was built in the 1800’s and is a center piece of the New Haven community.  Most of the rooms will be completely restored.  The newer portion of the house known as the L wing will be removed.  The house will be moved 25 feet to the South East and put on to a new basement foundation.  The move will allow for better parking area, ADA accessibility ( change in the grade of the land lowers the entrance to ground level),  and room for future expansion if needed.  There would be new construction of the entry way, vault, and a meeting room / Library.  6300 sq. ft. (2/3) would be new construction and 1/3 would be restored for Town Offices, space for boards to meet, and space for other elected officials to work as well as those using the offices for title searches.  All positions have had increases in State and Federal regulations which have increased the work load.  Other groups such as the Historical society, athletics, recreation and clubs would have space for meeting and storage of equipment.  The Library would double its current space.  It would be able to provide more programs and be open more hours.  The Architectural importance of the house would be preserved while creating functional and more useable space for the Town Center.  This would increase the likelihood of more volunteers and make New Haven a more attractive place to live.  Thus keeping property values from deteriorating.  Project costs are estimated to be 1.3 million, with $65,000.00 from the Reserve Facilities fund being used and an anticipated 3 cent increase in the tax rate being used to pay for the bond over a 20 year period.  If the bond passes we would be able to look for more grant monies.  So far the Library Trustees, Friends of Library and the Historical Society have come out in support of the project.  Would like to have the Selectboard continue to support the project.  Discussion of how the dollar amount was determined.  1.3 million came from an estimate from Stuart Construction.  There will have to be other funding sources or cuts if the project were to go over the 1.3 million.  Most people won’t donate until a bond passes.  The whole house will be completely renovated.  A variance has been granted for the elevator, due to the renovation.  Amos Roleau motion to support the project.  Second by Paul Audy.  All agree.
• Peter Diminico – Riverwatch – Bristol resident and river angler, The Anglers donated the Munger Street beach area to the town several years ago.  Has not gotten enough signatures for a petition.   Would like the selectboard to put an article on Town Meeting.  They have 12 sites along the river and gather great data.  The data is used for planning, water quality, and geomorphic studies.   Please be proactive and put an article on requesting $300.00 for Riverwatch.  Discussion of the deadline for petitions being on Thursday and still having time to do a petition.  Selectboard will not approve prior to deadline while there is still time to get signatures.  
• Suzy Roorda – Coordinator Position – Would like to provide more entertainment and events would like to increase the park budget by $1000.00.  Discussion on breaking out the park related items.  O.K.  O.K. to give the Park an additional $1000.00.  Will pay coordinator by the hour and budget in approx. 10 hours per week at $15.00 an hour.  Discussion of all part time help being paid by the hour.  Discussion of positions not being paid enough.  Increase in elected official (Listers and Auditors) wages to 15.00 per hour.  In crease Planning Secretary to $12.00 hour. Increase Zoning Administrator to 15.00 per hour.  Other part time help will be paid between 10 – 15. 00 per hour.
• Martell Bankruptcy – Will contact Ouimette on costs involved.  Follow up.  He does not do bankruptcy but has contacts that do.  It would cost around $500.00 to file and there is likelihood of getting the balance owed if there is more than $75,000.00 of equity above the mortgage owed to cover other debts owed. 
• Sylvia Gonzalez – School Board – Article for Town Meeting – VLCT – Request to have article at Town Meeting – Shall the voters of the Town of New Haven instruct our State Representatives and Senators to oppose:
  • Any use of the State Education Fund for purposes that are outside the law’s original intent to “make payments to school district and supervisory unions for the support of education”;
  • The shifting of existing State General Fund expense obligations to the Education Fund; and
  • The reduction of any existing State General Fund revenue support to the Education Fund?

Selectboard decided to put on the warning.  All agree.

Signed letter of support for playground matching funds.

• Addison County Humane Society – Contract for April 06 – April 07 – signed will go with option 2 $25.00 for as many animals as needed.
• Copier – Copier is being used more than its abilities with the newsletter and other officials.  Has been in need of repair frequently.  The cost to maintain it is becoming more expensive than it would be to lease anew one.  Discussion of the color component being about $100.00 more per month.  Discussion of the need for color.  Planning documents could then be printed in color and changes would be easy to see.  Maps would be much more clearly defined.  Many reasons to have the option available.  Spent over $200.00 on copies to send out Town Plan changes to other towns.  Depending on the size of the color copy they cost any where from .75 cents to $2.00 per copy.  Selectboard approve lease of new copier at 232.00 per month in budget.  O.K. to order any time. All agree.
• Work on Budget
• Work on Warning
• Town / Palmer Agreement – Spoke with Palmers – They are working on it.

MISC. Correspondence

• VELCO – From James Dumont – Approval of Substation; Approval of 345 KV line; Letter regarding Forrest Drive Residents; Environmental Assessment and Statement of findings – to File.
• Info Howard Fairfield – Dump Box
• Vermont State – Agency Natural Resources – Act 250 Review Shafer – Storm water discharge permit
• Done Rite Construction – estimate for Town Hall Repairs
• Property Valuation – Annual Report
• Jill DeVoe –Auditor – Suggest that selectmen consider raising salaries and hourly wages of its elected officials
• Addison County Solid Waste District – Implementation Plan

            Adjourn 9:00

Respectfully submitted:

Barbara Torian